Draft - Official Community Plan - Surrey 2050

Appendix 3 – Surrey 2050

Strategy 2.3 Protect the supply of agricultural land and strengthen agricultural viability

Sec Policy

Applicable OCP Policies

Adopt Regional Context Statements that:

a)

specify the Agricultural lands within their juris- diction, denoting those within the Agricultural Land Reserve, on a map generally consistent with Map 8 markets and the distribution of local food in urban areas to strengthen the viability of agriculture and increase availability of local food for all residents consider policies and programs that increase

See OCP Map D5.1 Agricultural Land Reserve Map

b)

D5.2.1 Support agri-food businesses by: a. Encouraging on site-processing, value-added production and direct sales as permitted in the zoning and Agricultural Land Commission Act regulations for lands inside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) ; and b. Allowing broader food processing, storage and distribution in agriculture designated lands and other areas outside the ALR , such as industrial and employment lands.

D5.2.2 Ensure policies and zoning are regularly updated to permit emerging agri-tourism activities on farms on lands in the ALR .

D5.2.3 Ensure policies and zoning are regularly updated to permit emerging agri-tech businesses within the City's industrial and employment designated lands, and on lands in the ALR , in accordance with Agricultural Land Commission rules. D5.2.4 Establish and maintain an effective channel of communication between the City and the farming community to ensure City-led projects, programs, and policies contribute to the growth of the agriculture and food sectors. D5.3.1 Encourage food providers such as grocers, restaurants and community kitchens to locate in established urban residential neighbourhoods by regularly updating land use policies and zoning regulations to remove barriers that food providers may face in locating in these areas. D5.3.2 Expand opportunities for residents to participate in the production of local, healthy and culturally specific food by: a. Encouraging new developments to provide opportunities for on site food production, such as garden plots and edible landscapes, as part of the residential amenity space; and b. Permitting temporary community gardens on under-utilized or vacant privately-owned land. D5.3.3 Support the development of community gardens in neighbourhood parks through partnerships with non-profit groups, neighbourhood associations and other interested parties. D5.2.5 Support farming cooperatives, incubators and other economic tools and incentives that provide new farmers with access to land.

Policy 2.3.12

Regional Context Statement | 24